How to Diagnose Lymphoblastic Leukemia Type Malignant Hematology

Overview of Lymphoblastic Leukemia

Acute lymphocytic leukemia or simply lymphocytic leukemia is a type of bone marrow and blood cancer, where bone marrow refers to the spongy tissue present in bones to make blood cells. The word acute is used with this type of Malignant Hematology because leukemia in this case progresses rapidly and forms immature blood cells. 

Tests Recommended by a Hematology Doctor

If your Hematology Doctor suspects that you have leukemia, he or she will check cell samples from your bone marrow and blood to make sure of it. 

1. Blood Tests

Your doctor or pathologist will collect blood tests from a vein present in your wrist or arm. Common blood tests are-

CBC i.e. Complete Blood Count and Peripheral Blood Smear

CBC measures the numbers of white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets present in your blood. A few of the Malignant Hematology experts conduct CBC with a differential test to check both the numbers and types of white blood cells. These are initial blood tests conduct on suspected patients with any type of blood problem. 

In the case of a peripheral blood smear, your pathologist will smear a drop of blood across a slide and place it under a microscopic device. This test identifies leukemia based on the appearance of both white and red blood cells, along with changes in their numbers.  

Blood Coagulation Test

Blood coagulation test makes sure of the proper mechanism of blood clotting in patients. 

Blood Chemistry Test 

The blood chemistry test is recommendable to measure the exact amount of specific chemicals present in the blood. These tests mainly detect kidney or liver problems caused by the spread of leukemia cells. Such tests even determine whether a patient needs treatment to correct his/her high or low blood levels because of certain minerals. 

2. Bone Marrow Test

Acute lymphocytic leukemia may start in bone marrows, because of which your Hematology Doctor conducts bone marrow tests to check the presence of leukemia cells- 

Bone Marrow Biopsy and Aspiration 

In both bone marrow biopsy and bone marrow aspiration, doctors collect bone marrow samples from sternum i.e. breastbone, pelvic bone, or any other bone of a patient. However, the difference between the two is-

• Bone Marrow Aspiration 

You have to lie on your belly or side on a table. Your doctor will numb the skin of your hip or breast and the bone surface by injecting local anesthesia, which can cause burning or stinging sensation. Once the skin numbs, the doctor will insert a thin and hollow needle in the bone and use a syringe for sucking out the liquid form of bone marrow in a small amount. 

• Bone Marrow Biopsy

A patient has to undergo bone marrow biopsy just after the bone marrow aspiration. In the case of bone marrow examination, your doctor will remove a small piece of the bone marrow by using a slightly big needle pushing down in your bone. Once the biopsy completes, the pressure is applied to the biopsy site to avoid bleeding. 

Based on the patients’ condition, doctors may recommend both blood tests and bone marrow tests multiple times to diagnose the problem and provide proper treatment.